Moisturizing composition, base containing the same, and cosmetic or external preparation containing the moisturizing composition

ABSTRACT

A moisturizing composition comprising a trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, wherein lecithin: the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol=1:1,000 to 1:1 (weight ratio) and the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol=1:10 to 20:1 (weight ratio), various bases containing the moisturizing composition, and a cosmetic or external preparation containing the moisturizing composition. The moisturizing composition, bases, and cosmetic and external preparation are excellent in moisturizing properties, and have good stability.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/068,671, filed May 14,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,434 which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 ofPCT/JP96/02739 filed Sep. 24, 1996, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference in this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a moisturizing composition, a base containingthe same, and a cosmetic or external preparation containing themoisturizing composition.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well-known that moisture is deeply involved in various productssuch as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and foods,and moisturization thereof is one of important functions for the qualityof the products. It is also well-known that moisture is deeply involvedin the retention of youthful skin, and the moisturization of skin is oneof important functions for the quality of cosmetics. As knownmoisturizing agents, particularly known moisturizing agents used incosmetics or external preparations, there are polyhydric alcohols suchas glycerol, 1,3-butylene glycol and sorbitol, and furtherpyrrolidonecarboxylate salts, lactate salts, etc. In recent years,sodium hyaluronate produced by a microorganism has come to be used.

Moisturizing agents also play an important role to work as an agentretaining the moisture of cosmetics or external preparations themselvesand thereby contribute to the retention of the stability of the system.Trihydric or more polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol and sorbitol haveexcellent moisturizing properties and moisture retainability, andfurther in view of their safety, stability, prices, etc., are used asmost general purpose moisturizing agents.

As to requirements which moisturizing agents should have, it isdesirable that they are not influenced by environmental conditions(temperature, humidity, wind, etc.), and particularly can retainmoisture for a long time regardless of the surrounding humidity.However, in the case of any moisturizing agent, the amounts of theabsorption and release of moisture are influenced by the surroundinghumidity because of its vapor pressure. In the case of glycerol, forinstance, its equilibrium moisture content at 25° C. is 60% when therelative humidity is 75%, and 15% when the relative humidity is 33%, andin the case of sorbitol, its equilibrium moisture content at 25° C. is50% when the relative humidity is 75%, and 5% when the relative humidityis 33%, and their moisture contents are influenced by the degree of thesurrounding relative humidity.

Thus, there is a problem that when the surrounding humidity is low, themoisturizing agent itself releases the retaining moisture and the amountof moisture retained is lowered. Also when cosmetics or externalpreparations containing moisturizing agents are used, as understood fromthe above, moisture is lost from the skin with time lapse under lowhumidities, and the moisturizing function is lowered. Therefore, as tomoisturizing agents, it is necessary that the evapotranspiration ofmoisture under low humidity environments is slow.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims toprovide a moisturizing composition excellent in moisturizing propertiesand stability, bases based thereon, and a cosmetic or externalpreparation containing the moisturizing composition.

The above object has been attained by

(1) a moisturizing composition comprising a trihydric or more watersoluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol,wherein lecithin: the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol=1:1,000 to 1:1 (weight ratio) andthe trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol=1:10 to 20:1 (weight ratio),

(2) A viscous or gel-like base which comprises the moisturizingcomposition of the above (1) having compounded therein an oilysubstance.

(3) An oil-in-water type emulsion base which comprises the moisturizingcomposition of the above (1) having compounded therein an oily substanceand water.

(4) A solubilized base which comprises the moisturizing composition ofthe above (1) diluted with water.

(5) A cosmetic which comprises the moisturizing composition of the above(1) and other raw material(s) for cosmetics.

(6) An external preparation which comprises the moisturizing compositionof the above (1) and other raw material(s) for external preparations.

In the above, the moisturizing composition can further contain water inan amount of more than 0% by weight but up to 50% by weight of the totalweight of the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol,lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol. For displaying remarkablemoisturizing properties, the moisturizing composition desirably haspolarizability. The above trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol is preferably glycerol and/or sorbitol. The lecithin ispreferably hydrogenated lecithin in view of oxidation stability.

The invention is further detailedly described below.

As lecithin constituting the moisturizing composition of the invention,there can be used soybean lecithin or egg yolk lecithin, before allelse, which is available as a usual commercial product or reagent, andpurified lecithin or fractionated lecithin obtainable by subjectingsoybean lecithin or egg yolk lecithin to purification operation(s) suchas solvent fractionation, extraction and/or fractionation to removeneutral oily matter as sufficiently as possible, or the like. Forrapidly dissolving lecithin in a trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol, purified lecithin wherein neutral oily matter isremoved is preferred. Lecithin constituting the moisturizing compositionof the invention is assumed to further include hydrogenated lecithin andlysolecithin. Lecithin, in many cases, has an unsaturated fatty acidchiefly at the 2-position of glycerol constituting it, and one obtainedby converting it, at least partially, to a saturated fatty acid ishydrogenated lecithin. The degree of hydrogenation in the hydrogenatedlecithin is not particularly limited, but it is desirable in view ofoxidation stability that it is 45 to 100%, preferably 80 to 100%.Preferred as lysolecithin is one having a low hydrolysis degree, i.e.deacylation degree (e.g., one having a hydrolysis degree of 70% orless). Lysolecithin having a high hydrolysis degree (e.g., one having ahydrolysis degree of more than 70%) can also be used in the invention,but when used, it is preferred to use it together with usual lecithinand make the mixing ratio of such lysolecithin 80% by weight or lessbased on the usual lecithin. As lecithin used in the invention includingeven hydrogenated lecithin and lysolecithin, such lecithin that thefatty acid constituting it is not a single fatty acid (ones derived fromnature as exemplified above fall under this category) is preferred, andsynthetic phosphatidylcholine having a single fatty acid as anconstituent is undesirable because when it is used in place of thelecithin in the moisturizing composition of the invention, there is atendency that precipitate deposits.

The trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol constituting themoisturizing composition of the invention is not particularly limited,and there can be used, as representative ones, glycerol, sorbitol,diglycerol, triglycerol, polyglycerol, erythritol, pentaerythritol,glucose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, xylose, xylobiose,reduced oligosaccharides, etc. These can be used alone or in combinationof two or more. Preferred among them are glycerol and sorbitol.

As to 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol constituting the moisturizingcomposition of the invention, it is convenient to utilize commercialproducts (e.g., one made by KURARAY CO., LTD.). A composition comprising3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, a trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol and lecithin (the moisturizing composition of theinvention), whose characteristic lies in containing3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, has a remarkably enhanced moisturizingcharacteristic, compared with a composition not containing3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol (usual compositions), as illustrated in thelater-described examples and comparative examples.

In the moisturizing composition of the invention, it is necessary thatthe ratio (weight ratio) of lecithin the trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is 1:1,000 to 1:1, andthe ratio is preferably 1:200 to 1:1, more preferably 1:50 to 1:2. Whenthe weight ratio of lecithin to the trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is less than 1/1,000,the moisturizing properties of the moisturizing composition isinsufficient, and when the ratio is more than 1/1, the lecithin cannotuniformly dissolve in the composition and insoluble matter deposits.

In the moisturizing composition of the invention, it is also necessarythat the ratio (weight ratio) of the trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is 1:10 to 20:1, and theratio is preferably 1:7 to 20:1, more preferably 1:4 to 10:1. When theamount of 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is larger than that of the casewhere the weight ratio of the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is 1:10, a tendency enlarges thatthe lecithin cannot stably dissolve in the trihydric or more watersoluble polyhydric alcohol and precipitate is formed at room temperature(e.g., 20° C.) to a low temperature (e.g., 5° C.). When the amount of3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol is smaller than that of the case where theweight ratio is 20:1, the moisturizing composition of the invention doesnot become high viscous and moisturizing characteristics do not come toa satisfiable degree.

The moisturizing composition of the invention can be substantiallynonaqueous, or can further contains water in an amount of more than 0weight % but up to 50 weight % of the total weight of the trihydric ormore water soluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol. Usually, in commercial lecithins, water ofthe order of 0.1 to 3% by weight is contained, and in trihydric or morewater soluble polyhydric alcohols, 0.1 % by weight or more water iscontained (among commercial products, there are even water-containingproducts such as glycerol having a water content of 0.1 to 20% by weightand sorbitol having a water content of 30% by weight), and in3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, water of the order of 0.1 to 2% by weightis contained. Therefore, in preparation of a moisturizing composition ofthe invention which contains water, there is a case where water does notneed to be added. When the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol is a solid saccharide or sugar alcohol (sucrose, glucose,fructose, sorbitol, etc.), it is desirable to add water in an amount ofabout 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of the total weight of thetrihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol and uniformly dissolve the solid.

It is preferred that the moisturizing composition of the invention haspolarizability. By making the moisturizing composition of the inventiona composition having polarizability, it comes to exhibit remarkablemoisturizing characteristics.

It is surmised that when the moisturizing composition of the inventioncontains water or water is compounded into the composition, by theinteraction of the coexisting respective components, lecithin takes aspecific association structure and high viscous liquid crystals areformed, and thereby the evapotranspiration of water from the compositionis inhibited.

There is no particular limitation about processes for preparing themoisturizing composition of the invention, but the composition can beprepared, for example, by stirring a trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, and, whenneeded, water, if necessary under heating, to make the mixture a uniformsolution.

The invention also relates to a viscous or gel-like base which comprisesthe moisturizing composition of the invention having compounded threreinan oily substance. This viscous or gel-like base can be used as a basefor viscous or gel-like products on which moisturizing properties areneeded.

As the oily substance, there can be used, without particular limitation,hydrocarbons, esters, fats or oils, waxes, higher fatty acids, higheralcohols, silicone substances, sterols, resin saccharides, etc. Asexamples of them, there can be mentioned liquid petrolatum, isoparaffin,petrolatum, squalane, isopropyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, cetylisooctylate (cetyl 2-ethylhexanoate), glyceryl triisooctylate (glyceryltri-2-ethylhexanoate), glyceryl tricaprylate, diisooctylic acidneopentyl glycol ester (di-2-ethylhexanoic acid neopentyl glycol ester),diisostearyl malate, isononyl isononanoate (3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid3,5,5-trimethylhexyl alcohol ester), cholesteryl 12-hydroxystearate,mono-to hexaisostearic acid dipentaerythritol esters using isostearicacid made by Emery Industries, Inc., isooctyl o, m orp-methoxycinnamate, eucalyptus oil, soybean oil, cotton seed oil, sesameoil, rice germ oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, sunflower seed oil,palm oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nuts oil, avocado oil, castoroil, evening primrose oil, turtle oil, mink oil, orange roughy oil,lanolin, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid,12-hydroxystearic acid, behenic acid, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol,cetanol, lanolin alcohol, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, ceresinwax, beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, shellac wax, soybeanhardened oil, rapeseed hardened oil, glyceryl tristearate, rosin,cholesterol, phytosterol, dimethyl polysiloxane, methyl phenylpolysiloxane, essential oil components originated in animals or plants,etc. They can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In the viscous or gel-like base of the invention, it is suitable thatthe compounding amount of the oily substance is more than 0 times byweight but up to 10 times by weight, preferably 0.001 to 5 times byweight the total amount of the trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol in themoisturizing composition. When the compounding amount is more than 10times by weight, the moisturizing composition separates.

There is no particular limitation about processes for preparing theviscous or gel-like base of the invention, and it can, for example, beobtained by compounding the oily substance into the moisturizingcomposition under stirring.

The viscous or gel-like base of the invention can be used as a base forvarious viscous or gel-like products. As such viscous or gel-likeproducts, there can be mentioned cosmetics (creams, cleansing gel,moisture gel, etc.), external preparations (ointments, etc.),agricultural chemicals, etc.

The invention also relates to an oil-in-water type emulsion base whichcomprises the moisturizing composition of the invention havingcompounded threrein an oily substance and water. As the oily substanceused in this oil-in-water type emulsion base, there can be used the sameoily substances as described in the viscous or gel-like base of theinvention, and its compounding amount can also be the same as therein.

It is suitable that the total compounding amount of water in theoil-in-water type emulsion base of the invention is 0.1 to 100 times byweight, preferably 0.1 to 20 times by weight the total amount of thewater soluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butyleneglycol in the moisturizing composition. When the compounding amount isless than 0.1 times by weight, the resultant base does not become anoil-in-water state, and when it is more than 100 times by weight, theeffects of the invention cannot be expected. It is possible topreviously compound, into this water, water soluble or dispersiblecomponent(s) such as known surfactant(s) or moisturizing agent(s).

There is no particular limitation about processes for preparing theoil-in-water type emulsion base of the invention, and it can, forexample, be obtained by compounding the oily substance and water intothe moisturizing composition under stirring, or by compounding waterinto the above viscous or gel-like base under stirring.

The oil-in-water type emulsion base of the invention can be used as abase for oil-in-water type emulsion preparations, etc. As suchoil-in-water type emulsion preparations, there can be mentionedcosmetics (liquid cream, cream, skin lotion, etc.), etc.

The invention also relates to a solubilized base which comprises themoisturizing composition of the invention diluted with water. It issuitable that the total compounding amount of water in this solubilizedbase is 0.5 to 100 times by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20 times by weightthe total amount of the water soluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol in the moisturizing composition. When thecompounding amount is less than 0.5 times by weight, the resultant basedoes not become a solubilized state, and when it is more than 100 timesby weight, the effects of the invention cannot be expected. It ispossible to previously compound, into this water, water soluble ordispersible component(s) such as known surfactant(s) or moisturizingagent(s). There is no particular limitation about processes forpreparing the solubilized base of the invention, and it can, forexample, be obtained by adding water to the moisturizing compositionunder stirring. The solubilized base of the invention can be used as abase for solubilized aqueous products which are expected to havemoisture retainability. As such aqueous products, there can be mentionedcosmetics (skin lotions, cosmetic essences, etc.), etc.

The invention still further relates to a cosmetic which comprises themoisturizing composition according of the invention and other rawmaterial(s) for cosmetics.

This cosmetic includes creams, liquid creams, skin lotions, cosmeticessences, cleansing gels, and further includes skin care cosmetics suchas moisture gels and packs, and makeup cosmetics to which moisturizingeffect is expected such as emulsion type foundations, emulsion eyeshadows and nail treatments.

As the other raw materials for cosmetics, there can be mentioned oilysubstances (the same ones as in the viscous or gel-like base of theinvention), surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric),mucilaginous substances (or water soluble macromolecules) (tragacanthgum, quince seed gum, xanthane gum, sodium alginate, cellulosederivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate, carboxyvinylpolymers, polyethylene oxide, bentonite, etc.), powders (talc, kaolin,zinc white, titanium dioxide, mica, precipitated calcium carbonate,heavy calcium carbonate, calcium secondary phosphate, etc.), medicines(vitamins, hormones, antihistaminics, astringents, amino acids, etc.),ultraviolet absorbers, sequestering agents (EDTA sodium salt, etc.),other moisturizing agents (sodium hyaluronate, etc.), antioxidants,pH-adjusting agents, pigments and dyes, perfumes, antiseptics, water,etc. These other raw materials for cosmetics can be used alone or incombination of two or more.

It is suitable that the rate of the moisturizing composition in thecosmetic is 1 to 95% by weight, preferably 2 to 90% by weight in termsof the total content of the trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol in the cosmetic. Whenthe rate is less than 1% by weight, the effects of the invention cannotbe expected.

There is no particular limitation about processes for preparing thecosmetic of the invention, and it can, for example, be prepared bycompounding at least one of the oily substance and water, and other rawmaterials for cosmetics into the moisturizing composition understirring.

The invention also relates to an external preparation which comprisesthe moisturizing composition of the invention and other raw material(s)for external preparations.

This external preparation includes quasi-drugs, and lotion-like externalpreparations, ointments, gel agents, etc. which are medicines, for skininflammations accompanied by the dryness of the skin such as chaps,cracks, itches and atopic dermatitis.

The other raw materials for external preparations includepharmaceutically effective ingredients and base components for externalpreparations.

As the base components for external preparations, there can be mentionedoily substances (the same ones as in the viscous or gel-like base of theinvention), surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric),mucilaginous substances (or water soluble macromolecules) (tragacanthgum, quince seed gum, xanthane gum, sodium alginate, cellulosederivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate, carboxyvinylpolymers, polyethylene oxide, bentonite, etc.), powders (talc, kaolin,zinc white, titanium dioxide, mica, precipitated calcium carbonate,heavy calcium carbonate, calcium secondary phosphate, etc.),pH-adjusting agents, antiseptics, colorants, water, etc. These other rawmaterials for external preparations can be used alone or in combinationof two or more.

It is suitable that the rate of the moisturizing composition in theexternal preparation is 1 to 95% by weight, preferably 2 to 90% byweight in terms of the total content of the trihydric or more watersoluble polyhydric alcohol, lecithin and 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol inthe external preparation. When the rate is less than 1% by weight, theeffects of the invention cannot be expected.

There is no particular limitation about processes for preparing theexternal preparation of the invention, and it can, for example, beprepared by compounding a pharmaceutically effective ingredient and basecomponent(s) for external preparations into the moisturizing compositionunder stirring.

EXAMPLES

The invention is specifically described below by examples andcomparative examples.

Examples 1 to 8

Glycerol and/or sorbitol, purified hydrogenated soybean lecithin (BASISLS-60H, made by THE NISSHIN OIL MILLS, LTD.) and 3-methyl-1,3-butyleneglycol (made by KURARAY CO., LTD.) were used. These components weremixed so that the lecithin content could be 5:95 (weight ratio) in termsof the lecithin:glycerol and/or sorbitol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycoland the ratio between glycerol and/or sorbitol and 3-methyl-1,3-butyleneglycol could be the prescribed weight ratios, the mixtures were madeinto solutions by heating to 80° C., and the solutions were cooled toroom temperature to give moisturizing compositions of the invention.Then, 20 g of each of the compositions was heated again to 80° C., 10 gof purified water of the same temperature was mixed, followed bysufficient stirring. After cooled to room temperature, the mixtures wereput in Petri dishes, respectively, and left alone in a room adjusted toa temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 30%, and the amountsof water reduction were measured with time lapse. The results are shownin Table 1.

In all the compositions of the invention, it was revealed that the ratesof water reduction are slower than those in the later-describedcomparative examples, and thus the compositions of the invention areexcellent in moisture retainability and useful as moisturizingcompositions.

TABLE 1 (unit:g) Ratio of the components in Amount of water thecomposition reduction (lapse time:hr) (weight ratio) 6 12 24 Example 1Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:10 0.26 0.52 0.86 2 Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:40.29 0.54 0.90 3 Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:1 0.32 0.59 0.95 4Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 3:1 0.38 0.68 0.99 5 Sorbitol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:100.15 0.26 0.43 6 Sorbitol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:1 0.16 0.28 0.47 7Sorbitol:3-M-1,3-BG = 20:1 0.21 0.40 0.63 8 Glycerol/Sorbitol 0.24 0.440.71 (= 1/1):3-M-1,3-BG = 1:1 Note) 3-M-1,3-BG:3-methyl-1,3-butyleneglycol, which is applied as well hereinafter

Examples 9 to 14

Moisturizing compositions were prepared according to the processmentioned in Example 1 under the condition that the same raw materialswere used as in Example 1, glycerol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol wasmade to be 1:1 (weight ratio) and the lecithin (=purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin) contents were made so as to be the prescribed values.Thereafter, under the same method and conditions as in Example 1, theamounts of water reduction from mixtures of 20 g each of themoisturizing compositions with 10 g each of water were measured,respectively (see Table 2).

In all the compositions, it was revealed that the rates of waterreduction are slower than those in the later-described comparativeexamples, and thus the compositions are suitable as moisturizingcompositions.

TABLE 2 (unit:g) Lecithin:glycerol + 3-M-1, Amount of water 3-BG in thecomposition reduction (lapse time:hr) (percent by weight) 6 12 24Example  9  0.1:99.9 0.92 1.18 1.60 10  0.5:99.5 0.54 0.81 1.29 11 2.5:97.5 0.38 0.69 1.13 12 10:90 0.24 0.42 0.67 13 20:80 0.12 0.17 0.2314 30:70 0.07 0.10 0.14

Comparative examples 1 to 8

The same experiments as in Example 1 were carried out under thecondition of no addition of lecithin (see Table 3). It was revealed thatin all the compositions, the rates of water reduction are large, andthus in the compositions the amounts of the retained water are liable tobe influenced by the surrounding humidity.

TABLE 3 (unit:g) Ratio of the components in Amount of water thecomposition reduction (lapse time:hr) (weight ratio) 6 12 24 Compara- 1Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:4 0.84 1.44 2.05 tive 2 Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG =1:1 1.27 1.87 2.51 example 3 Glycerol:3-M-1,3-BG = 3:1 1.00 1.63 2.32 4Sorbitol:3-M-1,3-BG = 1:1 0.88 1.43 2.07 5 Glycerol alone 1.00 1.76 2.376 3-M-1,3-BG alone 0.87 1.44 2.10 7 Glycerol:propylene glycol = 1.281.98 2.62 1:1 8 Glycerol:1,3-butylene 1.00 1.68 2.41 glycol = 1:1

Comparative examples 9 to 11

The same experiments as in Example 1 were carried out under thecondition that 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol was not used or alternativeglycol was used instead of it, and the lecithin (=purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin) content was made to be lecithin:glycerol orglycerol+alternative glycol=5:95 (weight ratio) (see Table 4). It wasrevealed that also in the compositions of these examples, the rates ofwater reduction are large, and thus in the compositions the amounts ofthe retained water are liable to be influenced by the surroundinghumidity.

TABLE 4 (unit:g) Ratio of the components in Amount of water thecomposition reduction (lapse time:hr) (weight ratio) 6 12 24 Compara-  9Glycerol alone 0.92 1.98 2.29 tive 10 Glycerol:propylene 1.05 1.43 2.11example glycol = 1:1 11 Glycerol:1,3-butylene 0.91 1.43 2.14 glycol =1:1

Examples 15 to 16 and Comparative Examples 12 to 13

Compositions were prepared according to the process mentioned in Example1 under the condition that the same raw materials were used as inExample 1, glycerol:3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol was made to be 1:1(weight ratio) and the lecithin (=purified hydrogenated soybeanlecithin) contents in the composition were made to be 5:95 (weightratio) (Examples 15 and 16) or 0 (Comparative examples 12 and 13) interms of lecithin:glycerol+3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol. 20 g each ofthe compositions and the prescribed amount of purified water (5 g or 20g) were mixed, and under the same method and conditions as in Example 1,the amounts of water reduction from the mixtures were measured,respectively (see Table 5).

TABLE 5 Lecithin:glycerol + (unit:g) 3-M-1,3-BG in Amount of waterAmount of water the compositon in the mixture reduction (lapse time:hr)(weight ratio) (g) 6 12 24 Example 15 5:95 5 0.11 0.21 0.35 16 5:95 200.60 1.20 2.08 Comparative 12 Lecithin 5 0.42 0.74 1.08 example content13 Lecithin content 20 1.23 2.41 4.22 0

Examples 17 to 22 and Comparative Examples 14 to 18

Moisturizing compositions having the prescribed compositions wereprepared, water was added to each of the compositions, and, in order tocheck the resultant mixtures for stability at room temperature (20° C.)and a low temperature (5° C.), the states of the mixtures after a lapseof 24 hours at these temperatures were observed, respectively. Themixtures were also checked for the presence of polarizability at 60° C.,20° C. and 5° C. using a polarization microscope. The results are shownin Table 6. It was revealed from Table 6 that the compositions accordingto the invention are excellent in stability at room temperature and thelow temperature. It was also revealed that all the compositionsaccording to the invention have polarizability.

TABLE 6 (unit: % by weight) Example Comparative example Component 17 1819 20 21 22 14 15 16 17 18 Purified hydrogenated 10  5 40 25 10 10 45soybean lecithin Purified soybean lecithin 30 20 Egg yolk lecithin 10 10Glycerol 30 20 30 40 30 30 20 40 40 Sorbitol 70¹⁾ 30 603-Methyl-1,3-butylene 30 40 20 30 30 20 20 glycol Ethanol 30 30 Hexyleneglycol 30 40 Water 30 35 10 15 10 30 30 15 10 10 Stability²⁾ (20° C.) ∘∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ x x x ∘ ∘  (5° C.) ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ x x x x x Presence of (60° C.)yes yes yes yes no no no no yes no no polarizability (20° C.) yes yesyes yes yes yes — — — no no  (5° C.) yes yes yes yes yes yes — — — — —Note) ¹⁾An aqueous solution containing 70% by weight sorbitol²⁾Evaluation of stability; there is no deposit: ∘, there are deposits: x

On the mixtures of each of the compositions of Examples 3 and 6 andComparative examples 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 among the above-mentionedexamples and comparative examples with water, the presence ofpolarizability and viscosities (measured by a BL-type viscometer) wereas shown in Table 7.

As seen from this, one of the characteristics of the compositions of theinvention is that they become a remarkably high viscous state by theaddition of water.

TABLE 7 Presence of polarizability Viscosity (CPS/25° C.) Example 3 yes3500 6 yes 3250 Comparative 2 no 20 example 4 no 17 7 no 12 8 no 17 10yes 78 11 yes 177

Example 23

25 g of glycerol, 3 g of purified hydrogenated soybean lecithin (BASISLP-20H, made by THE NISSHIN OIL MILLS, LTD.), 9 g of3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol (made by KURARAY CO., LTD.) and 1 g ofwater were mixed, and heated to 80° C. for dissolution to give amoisturizing composition as a uniform solution. Separately, 62 g of amixture of squalane and liquid petrolatum in equal volume as an oilysubstance was heated to 80° C. and added by portions to the abovecomposition under stirring at the same temperature. The mixture wascooled to room temperature to give a gel-like base. When this base wasleft alone for 6 months in a room (20 to 25° C., relative humidity:30 to50%), there was almost no change in its moisture content and the basewas stable without forming any deposit.

Example 24

15 g of an aqueous 70% by weight sorbitol solution, 1 g of purifiedhydrogenated egg yolk lecithin (Lipoid E-80-3 made by Lipoid Co.), 10 gof 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol (the same one as in Example 23) weremixed, and heated to 80° C. for dissolution to give a moisturizingcomposition as a uniform solution. Separately, 15 g of olive oil and 5 gof paraffin wax were mixed and heated to 85° C. to give an oilysubstance as a solution. The oily substance was added by portions to theabove composition at 80° C. under stirring to give a viscouscomposition, and 54 g of water of the same temperature was added to thisto give an emulsion, and the emulsion was cooled to room temperature togive an oil-in-water type emulsion base. This base was filled into avessel and it was checked for stability under the same condition as inExample 23, and as a result the base retained its stable emulsifiedstate without separating an oil phase or an aqueous phase.

Example 25

30 g of diglycerol/fructose=1/1 (weight), 20 g of purified soybeanlecithin (BASIS LS-60 made by THE NISSHIN OIL MILLS, LTD.), 40 g of3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol (made by KURARAY CO., LTD.) and 10 g ofwater were mixed, and heated to 80° C. for dissolution to give amoisturizing composition as a uniform solution. 70 g of water was addedby portions to 30 g of the above composition at the same temperature togive a solubilized base. This base retained its stable state for 6months in a room (20 to 25° C., relative humidity:35 to 45%) withoutforming any precipitate and becoming white turbid.

Example 26

Samples (liquid cream type model cosmetics) were prepared according tothe following basic formulations (see Table 8). The surfaces of skinscoated respectively with each of the samples were measured forconductance, and thereby the moisturizing effect of each sample on theskin was evaluated.

Process of Preparing Such a Sample

The component A was mixed into the component B under stirring at atemperature of 80° C., the component C was added by portions, purifiedwater was added to make the mixture emulsified, and the emulsion wascooled to 20° C. Method of measuring the conductance of the skin surface

The medial part of the brachium of a female normal person was cleanedwith ethanol, 0.02 g of a sample was applied onto a region thereon of aradius of 3 cm. At the time of a lapse of 60 minutes, the part wasmeasured for conductance in a room of a temperature of 19 to 21° C. anda relative humidity of 30 to 40% using a high frequency conductancemeasuring apparatus (IB-355 type made by IBS Co.). Measured values wereexpressed as an average value on 3 subjects.

The formulation of each sample and the measured value of the conductanceof the surface of the skin coated with each sample are shown in Table 8.As seen therefrom, in each of the model cosmetics of the invention(Sample Nos. 1 to 3 and 8 to 11), the conductance of the skin surfacebecame a large value, and thus its excellent moisturizing effect on theskin was revealed. On the other hand, in the model cosmetics wherein3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol was not used (Sample Nos. 4 to 7) and inthe model cosmetics wherein lecithin was not used together (Sample Nos.12 to 16), the conductances were small and their moisturizing effectswere weak.

TABLE 8 (Compounding amounts of components: % by weight) Sample No. 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Invention Comparative InventionComparative product product product product Component Purifiedhydrogenated soybean 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0.5 1 2 10 A lecithin¹⁾ Tween 80²⁾ 11 1 1 1 Span 80³⁾ 1 1 1 1 1 Component Glycerol 10 5 15 20 10 10 10 10 1010 10 20 10 10 B 3-M-1,3-BG⁴⁾ 10 15 5 10 10 10 10 10 1,3-Butylene glycol10 10 Propylene glycol 10 10 Component Olive oil 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 1010 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 C Cetanol 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2Puritied water 63 63 63 63 63 63 83 67.5 67 66 58 66 66 66 66 86Conductance of skin sunface (μΩ⁻¹) 212 208 202 90 92 95 70 150 165 180243 85 80 81 85 55 ¹⁾BASIS LS-60-H, made by THE NISSHIN OIL MILLS, LTD.²⁾Sorbitan monooleate ethylene oxide adduct, made by Tokyo Kasei Co.,Ltd. ³⁾Sorbitan monooleate, made by Tokoyo Kasei Co., Ltd.⁴⁾3-Methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, made by KURARAY CO., LTD.

Example 27

Samples (skin lotion type model cosmetics) were prepared according tothe following basic formulations (see Table 9). The surfaces of skinscoated respectively with each of the samples were measured forconductance, and thereby the moisturizing effect of each sample on theskin was evaluated.

Process of Preparing Such a Sample

The component A was mixed into the component B under stirring at atemperature of 80° C., purified water containing a certain pH-adjustingagent was added by portions, and the mixture was cooled to 20° C. Methodof measuring the conductance of the skin surface

The Same as in Example 26

The formulation of each sample and the measured value of the conductanceof the surface of the skin coated with each sample are shown in Table 9.As seen therefrom, in each of the model cosmetics of the invention(Sample Nos. 1 to 3 and 8 to 11), the conductance of the skin surfacebecame a large value, and thus its excellent moisturizing effect on theskin was revealed. On the other hand, in the model cosmetics wherein3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol was not used (Sample Nos. 4 to 7) and inthe model cosmetics wherein lecithin was not used (Sample Nos. 12 to18), the conductances were small and their moisturizing effects wereweak.

TABLE 9 (Compounding amounts of components: % by weight) Sample No. 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Invention Comparative InventionComparative product product product product Component Purifiedhydrogenated soy- 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0.5 1 2 10 A bean lecithin¹⁾ ComponentGlycerol 10 5 15 20 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 15 20 10 10 B 3-M-1,3-BG²⁾ 1015 5 10 10 10 10 10 15 5 1,3-Butylene glycol 10 10 Propylene glycol 1010 pH-adjusting agent trace trace trace trace Puritied water 75 75 75 7575 75 95 79.5 79 78 70 80 80 80 80 80 80 100 Conductance of skin sunface(μΩ⁻¹) 192 190 181 72 75 76 58 140 155 168 201 53 48 60 65 51 49 31¹⁾The same as in 1) of Table 8 ²⁾The same as in 4) of Table 8 Thecompounding amount of purified water is shown as a value containing atrace of the pH-adjusting agent.

Example 28

Samples (cleansing type model cosmetics) were prepared according to thefollowing basic formulations (see Table 10). Each sample was applied onskin and then washed away with water therefrom, the resultant skinsurface was measured for conductance, and thereby the moisturizingeffect of each sample on the skin was evaluated. Process of preparingsuch a sample

The component A was mixed into the component B under stirring at atemperature of 80° C., the component C was added by portions, and themixture was cooled to 20° C. Method of measuring the conductance of theskin surface Such a sample was applied on the skin according to themethod as described in Example 26, the applied skin surface was massagedand washed with water, the remaining water was wiped up, and the skinwas measured for conductance at the time of a lapse of 60 minutes.

The formulation of each sample and the measured value of the conductanceof the surface of the skin coated with each sample are shown in Table10. As seen therefrom, in each of the model cosmetics of the invention(Sample Nos. 1 to 3), the conductance of the skin surface after thecleansing treatment was large, and thus moisturizing effect was notlowered. On the other hand, in the cases of water alone, an aqueouspotassium laurate solution and a usual cleansing oil (Sample Nos. 4 to6), the conductances of the skin surfaces after the cleansing treatmentwere small.

TABLE 10 (Compounding amounts of components: % by weight) Sample No. 1 23 4 5 6 Invention Comparative product product Component Purifiedhydrogenated 2 2 2 A soybean lecithin¹⁾ Component Sorbitol 70²⁾ 20 10 30B 3-M-1,3-BG³⁾ 20 30 10 Component Isopropyl myristate 58 58 58 CPurified water 100 Aqueous 10% potassium laurate 100 solution Cleansingoil⁴⁾ 100 Conductance of skin surface (μΩ⁻¹) 52 56 53 31 21 26 ¹⁾Thesame as in 1) of Table 8 ²⁾Aqueous 70% by weight sorbitol solution ³⁾Thesame as in 4) of Table 8 ⁴⁾The composition is Tween 80:5% by weight,Span 80:5% by weight, liquid petrolatum: 40% by weight and isopropylmyristate: 50% by weight

Example 29

Cream

A moisturizing cream was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (10). (1) to (3) were heated to 80°C. and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (4) to (9) were heated to 85° C. and mixed to give an oilphase. The oil phase was added by portions to the moisturizingcomposition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a viscouscomposition. (10) heated to 80° C. was poured in this viscouscomposition, and the mixture was stirred to give an emulsion and cooledto room temperature to give an oil-in-water type cream. This cream wasone giving excellent moist touch to women of dry skin. When this creamwas left alone in a room (20 to 25° C., a humidity of 40 to 60%, this isapplied hereinafter) for 1 year, it had good stability without formingany separation of the components nor any deposit.

(% by weight) (1) Sorbitol solution (70%) 10 (2) Purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin 2 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 5 (4) Stearylalcohol 2 (5) Microcrystalline wax 2 (6) Squalane 5 (7) Glyceryltrioctanoate 10 (8) Octyldodecyl myristate 5 (9) Methyl paraoxybenzoate0.3 (10) Purified water balance Total 100.0

Example 30

Liquid Cream

A liquid cream was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (11). (1) to (3) were heated to 80°C. and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (4) to (10) were heated to 85° C. and mixed to give an oilphase. The oil phase was added by portions to the moisturizingcomposition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a viscouscomposition. (11) heated to 80° C. was poured in this viscouscomposition, and the mixture was stirred to give a liquid cream andcooled to room temperature to give an oil-in-water type liquid cream.This liquid cream does not give a touch of incompatibility at the timeof use, and even at the time of a lapse of one day after the use moisttouch sufficiently remained, and the liquid cream was stable in the roomfor one year.

(% by weight) (1) Glycerol 8 (2) Purified lecithin 1 (3)3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Cetanol 1 (5) Candelilla wax 1 (6)Liquid petrolatum 5 (7) Isopropyl palmitate 5 (8) Isononyl nonanoate 5(9) Methyl phenyl polysiloxane 1 (10) Ethyl paraoxybenzoate 0.1 (11)Purified water balance Total 100.0

Example 31

Skin Lotion

A skin lotion was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (8). (1) to (6) were heated to 80° C.and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (7) and (8) were heated to 80° C. and mixed to give anaqueous solution. The aqueous solution was added by portions to themoisturizing composition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring togive an isotropic solubilized liquid, and this was cooled to roomtemperature to give a skin lotion. This skin lotion had good touch atthe time of use, and even at the time of a lapse of one day after theuse moist touch remained, and the skin lotion was stable in the room forone year.

(% by weight) (1) Glycerol 10 (2) Purified hydrogenated soybean lecithin5 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Purified water {circle around(1)} 1 (5) Squalane 0.1 (6) Ethyl paraoxybenzoate 0.1 (7) Quince seedgum 0.1 (8) Purified water {circle around (2)} balance Total 100.0

Example 32

Skin Lotion 2

A skin lotion was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (8). (1) to (6) were heated to 80° C.and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (7) and (8) were heated to 800C and mixed to give an aqueoussolution. The aqueous solution was added by portions to the moisturizingcomposition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a whiteturbid emulsion, and this was cooled to room temperature to give a skinlotion. This skin lotion had good touch at the time of use, and even atthe time of a lapse of one day after the use moist touch sufficientlyremained, and the skin lotion was stable in the room for one year.

(% by weight) (1) Concentrated glycerol 5 (2) Diglycerol 5 (3) Purifiedhydrogenated egg yolk lecithin 2 (4) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (5)Dicaprylic acid neopentyl glycol ester 1 (6) Ethyl paraoxybenzoate 0.1(7) Sodium hyaluronate 0.1 (8) Water balance Total 100.0

Example 33

Cleansing Gel

A cleansing gel was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (11). (1) to (5) were heated to 80°C. and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (6) and (11) were heated to 80° C. and mixed to give an oilphase. The oil phase was added by portions to the moisturizingcomposition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a gel-likecomposition, and this was cooled to room temperature to give a cleansinggel. This cleansing gel had excellent cleansing properties and goodwashing-away properties with water, and on the skin after thewashing-away there was sufficient moist touch but little stretchedtouch.

(% by weight) (1) Concentrated glycerol 25 (2) Purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin 2 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Water 2 (5)Chamomile extract 1 (6) Squalane 10 (7) Liquid petrolatum 10 (8)Glyceryl trioctanoate 20 (9) Octydodecyl myristate 5 (10) Isooctylpalmitate 10 (11) Jojoba oil 5 Total 100.0

Example 34

Moisture Gel

A moisture gel was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (7). (1) to (3) were heated to 80° C.and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution. (4)heated to 80° C. was mixed into this, and a mixed solution of (5) to (7)was mixed thereinto to give a transparent moisture gel. This moisturegel had good stability, and moist touch in one day after the use thereofwas extremely excellent.

(% by weight) (1) Concentrated glycerol 10 (2) Purified hydrogenatedsoybean lysolecithin 5  (hydrolysis degree 50%) (3)3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Aqueous 1% carboxyvinyl polymersolution 40 (5) Aqueous 1% potassium hydroxide solution 10 (6) Aqueous10% sodium hyaluronate solution 1 (7) Water balance Total 100.0

Example 35

Pack

A pack was prepared by way of trial using the raw material components ofthe following (1) to (10). (1) to (4) were heated to 80° C. and mixed togive a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution. Separately, (5)and (6) were added to (10) and made to be dispersed, the moisturizingcomposition was dispersed, and finally (7) to (9) were dispersed to givea muddy pack. This pack was excellent in the soft touch and wet touch ofthe skin after use.

(% by weight) (1) Sorbitol 10 (2) Triglycerol 10 (3) Purifiedhydrogenated egg yolk lecithin 5 (4) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (5)Montmorillonite 1 (6) Ethanol 5 (7) Titanium oxide 5 (8) Kaolin 10 (9)Talc 5 (10) Purified water balance Total 100.0

Example 36

Emulsion Foundation

An emulsion foundation was prepared by way of trial using the rawmaterial components of the following (1) to (14). (1) to (4) were heatedto 80° C. and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniformsolution. Separately, (9) to (13) were heated to 85° C. and mixed togive an oil phase. The oil phase was added by portions to themoisturizing composition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring togive a viscous composition. (14) heated to 80° C. was poured into thisviscous composition, the mixture was stirred to give an emulsion, (5) to(8) were dispersed thereinto, and the mixture was cooled to roomtemperature to give an emulsion foundation. This emulsion foundation wassuch that there was extremely little dry touch on the skin after the useand wiping-up thereof.

(% by weight) (1) Concentrated glycerol 10 (2) Purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin 1 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Purifiedwater {circle around (1)} 5 (5) Talc 3 (6) Titanium oxide 5 (7) Redoxide 0.5 (8) Yellow iron oxide 1 (9) Liquid petrolatum 5 (10) Cetyloctanoate 10 (11) Octyldodecyl lactate 3 (12) Lanolin 2 (13) Cetanol 2(14) Purified water {circle around (2)} balance Total 100.0

Example 37

Bath

A bath was prepared by way of trial using the raw material components ofthe following (1) to (9). (1) to (6) were heated to 80° C. and mixed togive a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution. Separately, (7)to (9) were heated to 80° C. and mixed to give an oil phase. The oilphase was added by portions to the moisturizing composition at atemperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a gel-like composition, andthis was cooled to room temperature to give a white turbid bath. Afterbathing using this bath, the moist touch of the skin sufficientlyremained and there was no sticky touch.

(% by weight) (1) Concentrated glycerol 30 (2) Purified hydrogenatedsoybean lecithin 2 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 10 (4) Chamomileextract 2 (5) Ligusticum extract 2 (6) Calamus extract 1 (7) Liquidpetrolatum 10 (8) Glyceryl trioctanoate 38 (9) Methyl phenylpolysiloxane 5 Total 100.0

Example 38

Ointment

An ointment was prepared by way of trial using the raw materialcomponents of the following (1) to (12). (1) to (4) were heated to 80°C. and mixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, (5) to (11) were heated to 85° C. and mixed to give an oilphase. The oil phase was added by portions to the moisturizingcomposition at a temperature of 80° C. under stirring to give a viscouscomposition. (12) heated to 80° C. was poured into this viscouscomposition, the mixture was stirred to give an emulsion, and theemulsion was cooled to room temperature to give a hydrophilic ointment.This ointment was one which is liable to get to fit the skin and givesmoist touch thereto, and was excellent in stability without theseparation of the components in the room for one year.

(% by weight) (1) Glycerol 10 (2) Purified hydrogenated soybean lecithin1 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 15 (4) Purified water {circle around(1)} 5 (5) Glyceryl monostearate 1 (6) Stearyl alcohol 5 (7) Petrolatum10 (8) Isopropyl myristate 10 (9) Propyl paraoxybenzoate 0.1 (10) Methylparaoxybenzoate 0.1 (11) Glycyrrhetinic acid 0.3 (12) Purified water{circle around (2)} balance Total 100.0

Example 39

Gel

A gel was prepared by way of trial using the raw material components ofthe following (1) to (9). Namely, (1) to (3) were heated to 80° C. andmixed to give a moisturizing composition as a uniform solution.Separately, a mixed solution of (4) to (6) heated to 80° C. was mixedwith the moisturizing composition, the mixture was cooled, and (7) to(9) were added respectively to give a gel. This gel had good touch atthe time of use and gave moist touch and wet touch on the skin, and wasexcellent in stability without the separation of the components, anydeposit and the occurrence of foul smells in the room for one year.

(% by weight) (1) Glycerol 20 (2) Purified hydrogenated egg yolklecithin 10 (3) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol 20 (4) Polyethylene glycol400 20 (5) Aqueous 10% carboxyvinyl polymer solution 4 (6) Aqueous 10%sodium hydroxide solution 1 (7) Ethanol 2 (8) Dipotassiumglycyrrhetinate 0.3 (9) Water balance Total 100.0

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The moisturizing composition of the invention has an action to makeslower the evapotranspiration of moisture under a low humidity conditionaccompanied by the lowering of the equilibrium moisture, which has beena problem in polyhydric alcohols known as moisturizing agents, andexerts an effective function as a moisturizing agent even under lowhumidity environments. Compositions obtained using this moisturizingagent can take various forms such as viscous form, gel-like form,oil-in-water type emulsion form and solubilized form, and thus can beused as bases for various products wherein these forms and themoisturizing characteristic are utilized, and have extremely wideapplicability.

The cosmetic or external preparation of the invention contains amoisturizing composition comprising the above-mentioned specificcomponents, and are excellent in moisturizing properties. Touch at thetime of use and after use is also good. The cosmetic or externalpreparations can be prepared as various forms such as viscous form,gel-like form, oil-in-water type emulsion form and solubilized form, andare rich in stability.

What is claimed is:
 1. A viscous or gel base obtained by incorporatingan oily substance in a moisturizing composition consisting essentiallyof: (a) A trihydric or more water soluble polyhydric alcohol, (b)lecithin, and (c) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, wherein the weight ratioof (b) to the total of (a) and (c) is from 1:1,000 to 1:1 and the weightratio of (a) to (c) is 1:10 to 20:1, and wherein the composition haspolarizability.
 2. An oil-in-water emulsion base obtained byincorporating an oily substance and water in a moisturizing compositionconsisting essentially of: (a) a trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol, (b) lecithin, and (c) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol,wherein the weight ratio of (b) to the total of (a) and (c) is from1:1,000 to 1:1 and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is 1:10 to 20:1, andwherein the composition has polarizability.
 3. a solubilized baseobtained by diluting with water a moisturizing composition consistingessentially of: (a) a trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol, (b) lecithin, and (c) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, wherein theweight ratio of (b) to the total of (a) and (c) is from 1:1,000 to 1:1and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is 1:10 to 20:1, and wherein thecomposition has polarizability.
 4. A cosmetic obtained by incorporatingat least another cosmetic material into a moisturizing compositionconsisting essentially of: (a) a trihydric or more water solublepolyhydric alcohol, (b) lecithin, and (c) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol,wherein the weight ratio of (b) to the total of (a) and (c) is from1:1,000 to 1:1 and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is 1:10 to 20:1, andwherein the composition has polarizability.
 5. A topical compositionobtained by incorporating at least another component for a topicallyapplied composition into a moisturizing composition consistingessentially of: (a) a trihydric or more water soluble polyhydricalcohol, (b) lecithin, and (c) 3-methyl-1,3-butylene glycol, wherein theweight ratio of (b) to the total of (a) and (c) is from 1:1,000 to 1:1and the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is 1:10 to 20:1, and wherein thecomposition has polarizability.